Need for Speed Carbon (Xbox 360, 2006)

Need For Speed Carbon returns as a sequel to Most Wanted. But truthfully, it isn't really a sequel at all. It's more of an excuse to try to get gamers into this new experience, unsuccessfully I might add. Carbon is a definite step backwards from Most Wanted. One of the main problems is in what you do. All you do is race, race, race, race, and sometimes, a canyon duel. And race again. Now normally, this isn't a bad thing, as this is a racing game, but when every race, car, and AI driver looks and feels the same, then there's a problem. Plus these races don't come off as rewarding at all. You are pretty much just doing the same races and it just didn't draw me into the experience. Also the cops are a totally pointless addition to this game. Cops have absolutely nothing to do with this game. You don't have any challenges to compete related to cops to progress through the game. But they are still there. Why I am not exactly sure. At first I was happy when I heard the announcement cops would be in this game, but really, they are pointless. But there are a couple pluses. The Autosculpt™ technology is very rewarding and interesting. It adds an entirely new level of customization to the gamer's delight. Also, the canyon duels and the challenge series are cool, as there are cop challenges in the challenge series, and difficult turns to be had in the canyons. Too bad you only get to enjoy a couple of canyon races. The rest is just boring races. Oh, and its the same for every platform: so the stupid experience is everywhere.

Carbon had the potential to be an excellent sequel to Most Wanted. Instead, we get a smoldering piece of... you get the idea. The races are boring, the all-night environment obscures your vision, the cops are pointless, and the online mode IS THE EXACT SAME. Steer your Lamborghini away from this one.

GRAPHICS 6
GAMEPLAY 4
STORY 4
ONLINE 6
OVERALL 5/10

This game is exactly what you would expect from the EA Need For Speed series, which is both good and bad. If you're looking for a racing sim then get Project Gotham or Test Drive Unlimited to hold you over until Forza comes out. If you are looking for a fun, pretty and generally entertaining arcade racer for your 360 then this is your game.

The story is a sequel to Need For Speed Most Wanted with a plot line that my eight year old son could figure out in about 30 seconds, but nobody plays these games for the story. The action is fast and fun and seems to be right on par with NFS Most Wanted. Just like in that game you have to claw your way up through the local network of street racers and the bosses. This time around they got rid of the drag races from the last game and have inserted a drifting style race instead. You'll most likely either love it or hate it but either way it's not essential to advancing the game.

The visuals are a lot like Most Wanted except darker and sharpened up a little. It's a very pretty game on a nice big screen tv. It looks better than Most Wanted but only by a little.

My personally favorite aspect to the game, besides running from the cops, is the ability to design and modify the cars. There are the usual modifications that one would expect out a game like this, but there is also an autosculpt feature which lets you do everything from control the dimensions of the wheels and tires to chop the top and everything else in between. For a wannabe car designer it's a lot of fun.

This game isn't as long as NFS Most Wanted but it's every bit as fun. If you've played the Need For Speed series in the past and liked them then you won't be disappointed.

Carbon is great especially for those racer fans and it includes a wide variety of customizations for the users car and crew. The territorial battles compare it to the racing brother of grand theft auto. However it does take a long time to acheive gamerscore. I am currently plenty through the game and i havent recieved a single point. It is more based on online play unlike "most wanted"

If you like intense graphics and racing cars, this is the game for you. It is one of the best Need for Speeds out there. Designing your car is now even more customizable. The story line is not quite as long as Most Wanted but it is still a lot of fun to play. Online is fun to, because you can take a turn at being a cop.

One of the best in the NFS series. I owned this game for PC and decided to get it for the xbox360 as well. The game play is just that fun!